Delegates pass measures on Red 40, reproductive protections, lower BAC and fishing gear; several bills fail

Delegates in a session using a delegation format debated and voted on multiple measures across public‑health, consumer protection, fisheries and public‑safety policy.

The most immediate action was passage of a memorial introduced by Delegate Anthony Keith (Olympic Peninsula delegation) asking for a ban on Allura Red AC (commonly called Red 40). Keith said the additive "is what gives these items that distinctive red color" and argued it poses health risks, citing the National Institutes of Health and noting that other color additives such as Red 3 have been banned. Members pressed Keith on alternatives and enforcement; he responded that natural colorants such as beet juice are available and that penalties and implementation would fall to federal regulators such as the Food and Drug Administration. After debate the House moved to a vote and the bill passed.

Also approved was legislation (House Bill 9.13) presented by Quinn Morgan (Seattle Academy delegation) intended to make Washington a safer haven for reproductive‑health care. Morgan said the measure would "not cooperate with out‑of‑state investigations or legal actions targeting individuals or providers engaged in lawful care" and described the bill as a legal shield for providers and patient privacy. Speakers questioned whether the bill would cover out‑of‑state travelers and whether it would affect funding or travel assistance; Morgan clarified the bill protects disclosure and cooperation but does not fund travel.

Delegates approved a proposal to lower the legal blood‑alcohol concentration from 0.08 to 0.05. The proponent (Sawyer Kunkel) cited Utah’s experience, saying that state saw an 18.3% reduction in traffic fatalities after adopting a lower limit, and argued the change was an "evidence‑based step toward reducing impaired driving." Several delegates spoke in favor, framing the change as a public‑safety measure; the body passed the bill by obvious majority.

A Senate bill to require or encourage injector flow gear for bottom trawling (proponent Danica Everett) also passed. Everett said the gear floats above the ocean floor and reduces habitat damage while improving fuel efficiency; supporters said the technology could reduce environmental harm without major economic cost to fishers.

Not every proposal advanced. A bill to require plain‑language 100–200‑word summaries of terms of service for large digital companies (House Bill 3.12) drew sustained questioning about enforceability and whether such a short summary could capture legal obligations; the bill failed after a division vote. A proposal to require biodegradable and reusable utensils in prepared‑food establishments (House Bill 1.12) generated concerns about cost and local composting capacity for small vendors; the bill failed in the final vote.

Votes and formal actions recorded on the floor included several procedural motions (shortening debate time, establishing a House/Senate bill ratio for the session) and a motion to recess so delegates could vote in person on paper ballots; the recess motion passed and the body adjourned until 2:00 p.m.

Votes at a glance: HB o 7.23 (Red 40 memorial) — passed; HB 3.10 (pink‑tax/gender pricing) — passed; HB 9.13 (reproductive‑health protections) — passed; SB 121 (injector flow gear) — passed; HB 3.12 (TOS summary) — failed; HB 1.12 (biodegradable utensils) — failed; SB 10.12 (lower BAC to 0.05) — passed; HB 8.23 (immigration memorial) — passed. Where the transcript did not report a numerical roll call tally, the article notes that the outcome is recorded in the transcript as 'passed' or 'failed' but exact counts are not specified.

The session recessed to permit in‑person paper‑ballot voting and will reconvene at 2:00 p.m. to continue business.